This gene is a member of the transferrin family of genes and its protein product is found in the secondary granules of neutrophils. The protein is a major iron-binding protein in milk and body secretions with an antimicrobial activity, making it an important component of the non-specific immune system. The protein demonstrates a broad spectrum of properties, including regulation of iron homeostasis, host defense against a broad range of microbial infections, anti-inflammatory activity, regulation of cellular growth and differentiation and protection against cancer development and metastasis. Antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic activity has been found for this protein and its peptides. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2014]

LTF: Transferrins are iron binding transport proteins which can bind two Fe(3+) ions in association with the binding of an anion, usually bicarbonate. Belongs to the transferrin family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative promoter.

Protein type: Secreted, signal peptide; EC 3.4.21.-; Secreted; Protease

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 3p21.31

Cellular Component: cell surface; cytoplasm; extracellular region; extracellular space; nucleus; protein complex; secretory granule; specific granule

Molecular Function: DNA binding; heparin binding; iron ion binding; protein binding; protein serine/threonine kinase activator activity; serine-type endopeptidase activity

Biological Process: activation of NF-kappaB transcription factor; antibacterial humoral response; antifungal humoral response; cell redox homeostasis; cellular protein metabolic process; humoral immune response; innate immune response in mucosa; interaction with host; ion transport; iron assimilation by chelation and transport; negative regulation of apoptosis; negative regulation of ATPase activity; negative regulation of lipopolysaccharide-mediated signaling pathway; negative regulation of viral genome replication; negative regulation of viral reproduction; ossification; positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade; positive regulation of osteoblast differentiation; positive regulation of osteoblast proliferation; positive regulation of toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway; proteolysis; regulation of cytokine production; regulation of tumor necrosis factor production; response to host immune response; retinal homeostasis; transcription, DNA-dependent